These are two large porcelain flask in the form of bianhu. The left flask has a underglaze that depicts a large three-clawed dragon among scrolling lotus, similar scrolling lotus on the neck, and squared spirals at the rim. The right flask has a underglaze that depicts a three-clawed dragon in reserve against a background of waves in underglaze cobalt blue on the exterior, a wide band of scrolling lotus flowers on the neck, and scrolling lotus leaves below the mouth rim.
During the reigns of the Yongle Emperor (r. 1403−1424) and the Xuande Emperor (r. 1426−1435) of the Ming dynasty, flasks in this large, heavy, and bulbous form were made at the imperial kilns at Zhushan in Jingdezhen. The form was inspired by a Middle Eastern shape, possibly an enamelled glass vessel. These two emperors sponsored important maritime trade and diplomatic missions to the Middle East. Such flasks have been traded as evidenced by similar flasks in the Topkapi Saray in Turkey and the Ardabil Shrine in Iran.
Date
The two flasks were made during the Yongle reign (r. 1403−1424) of the Ming dynasty. This photograph was taken on 4 May 2009.
Medium
Porcelain with underglaze cobalt-blue decoration
Dimensions
Height 478 millimetres, weight 7.20 kilograms, width 350 millimetres, depth 225 millimetres for the left flask Height 446 millimetres, weight 7.20 kilograms for the right flask
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